1985-87 -- Becomes a legend at Louisiana State for his hitting records and his temper tantrums.

Spring 1987 -- Goes up into the stands at Mississippi State to chase a fan who had yelled racial slurs. During the SEC Tournament, LSU coach Skip Bertman suspends Belle from the College World Series for trotting out a single after he hits a ball off the wall.

June 1987 -- Selected by the Cleveland Indians in second round of the amateur draft. Belle blames Bertman for lowering his draft status.

Summer 1987 -- Expelled from semi-pro Cape Cod League for run-ins with fans, teammates and umps.

1988 -- Expelled from Mexican League for throwing catcher's mask into stands.

1988 -- Belle, playing at Class A-Kinston (N.C.), is sent home at midseason by manager Mike Hargrove for repeatedly failing to hustle. After a two-week cooling-off period, the Indians re-assign Belle to Waterloo (Iowa), a lower-level Class-A club. Belle refuses to play and is sent home for the remainder of the season.

Summer 1990 -- While with Triple-A Colorado Springs, Belle is suspended for destroying part of a bathroom. He agrees to enter an alcohol rehabilitation clinic. He spends 10 weeks at the Cleveland Clinic. Upon completion, he announces he wants to be known as Albert Belle, not Joey Belle.

May 11, 1991 -- Hits a taunting fan in the chest with a thrown ball at Cleveland Stadium. He is suspended six games and ordered to give one week's salary to charity.

June 6, 1991 -- Belle is sent down to Class AAA after failing to run out a ground ball. He is called back up 20 days later.

May 4, 1992 -- Charges at Kansas City pitcher Neal Heaton. On Aug. 4, he is suspended for three games.

May 13, 1993 -- Charges at Kansas City pitcher Hipolito Pichardo. On May 18, he is suspended for three games.

July 15, 1994 -- Has bat confiscated by Chicago manager Gene Lamont. (In 1999, Jason Grimsley confessed to breaking into the umpires' room through the ceiling to swipe Belle's bat and replace it with Paul Sorrento's. The following day, baseball's director of security, Kevin Hallinan, selected another bat from Belle's stock and had it examined. The bat was found to contain cork. Belle was suspended for 10 games. The suspension is later reduced to seven.)

Oct. 24, 1995 -- Directs profanity-laced tirade at NBC reporter Hannah Storm before Game 3 of the World Series. Fined $50,000 in April 1996 for the verbal abuse.

Oct. 31, 1995 -- Chases trick-or-treating teen-agers, in his Ford Explorer, who had thrown eggs at his house. He was accused of hitting a 16-year-old boy with his car, and later convicted of reckless operation of a motor vehicle and fined $100. The teen-agers were ordered to perform community service. The boy's parents sue him for $850,000, then reduce their request to $300,000.

April 6, 1996 -- Hits Sports Illustrated photographer Tony Tomsic with a baseball after becoming angry that Tomsic was taking pictures while he was stretching. Tomsic, who suffers a bloody knuckle, later files a lawsuit, which is settled out of court Nov. 16, 1998.

May 16, 1996 -- As a result of the Tomsic incident, AL president Gene Budig fines Belle $50,000 and orders him to undergo counseling and perform community service.

May 31, 1996 -- In retaliation for getting hit by a pitch, Belle hits Milwaukee second baseman Fernando Vina with a forearm between first and second. Budig suspends Belle for five games. He later reduces the penalty to a two-game suspension and $25,000 fine.

October 1996 -- Although the Indians were told no wives or girlfriends would travel with the team for the first two postseason games in Baltimore, when the team gathers to take the bus to the airport, Belle arrives with his girlfriend. She makes the trip.

Nov. 19, 1996 -- Signs five-year contract with Chicago White Sox worth a reported $55 million, baseball's richest in both total package and average annual value. With the lengthy collective bargaining agreement talks yet to be completed, White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf -- who had been calling for financial restraint -- is ripped by players and owners alike.

January 1997 -- Other stories of Belle's temper surface. During the 1996 season, he used a bat to destroy two thermostats in the Indians clubhouse because his teammates kept turning the heat up too much. Belle earned the nickname "Mr. Freeze." On another occasion, after putting in the wrong tape in a cassette player, Belle took out the tape and flung it against the wall above his locker, destroying the tape.

February 1997 -- Belle offers Indians clubhouse attendant Frank Mancini $300,000 to move from Cleveland and become Belle's personal assistant in Chicago, but Mancini declines the offer.

Feb. 11, 1997 -- In a sworn deposition related to a civil lawsuit, testifies that he lost as much as $40,000 gambling on pro football and college basketball. A prosecutor says Belle might have lost up to $300,000 gambling.

June 6, 1997 -- Fined $5,000 by the AL for "making an obscene gesture" to the fans in Cleveland at the end of a game on June 3, his first in an opposing uniform at Cleveland. Fans in left field had thrown objects at Belle, including fake money.

June 28, 1997 -- Granted immunity in a federal investigation of illegal bookmaking, money laundering and tax fraud. Was interviewed by federal investigators, but was not the target of the probe.

July 1997 -- Back in Cleveland for the All-Star Game, Belle makes himself scarce. He asks American League manager Joe Torre to keep him on the bench. Belle is the only AL non-pitcher not to play. During the Home Run Derby, Belle is found in the clubhouse alone, wearing street clothes, reading a newspaper and eating a popsicle. He says to an approaching reporter, "I never talked to you before, did I? Well, let's keep it that way."

June 1998 -- Belle announces he will no longer be speaking to the media, saying he needs to focus more on the opposition. "All that matters is winning. We're being told to be more fan-friendly and work with the media and all that other stuff. But what good does all that do when you are not winning?"

July 20, 1998 -- Charged with domestic battery for allegedly hitting girlfriend Stephanie Bugusky and then ripping her phone from the wall as she tried to call for help. A temporary order of protection was issued against Belle and he was released on a $3,000 signature bond a few hours before a game against the Cleveland Indians.

Sept. 12, 1998 -- Belle has a fiery staredown with Cleveland pitcher Dave Burba after a brushback pitch in the sixth inning. Burba's 1-2 fastball almost hit Belle's face but hit his bat instead. Belle stood in the batter's box screaming and motioning at Burba while pointing at the plate. Belle was restrained by plate umpire Ted Hendry. He stayed in the batter's box digging in and taking practice swings while Hendry warned both benches. He lined out to left field on the next pitch as the fans booed and renewed chants of "Joey! Joey!"

Sept. 20, 1998 -- Bugusky drops charges, and Belle agrees to pay for damages and drop a telephone harassment charge against her.

Sept. 22, 1998 -- A judge denies Belle's request for a restraining order against Bugusky.

Oct. 23, 1998 -- Becomes eligible for free agency when the White Sox refuse his demand for a $4.25 million raise over three years. Belle's contract contains a unique provision allowing him to demand he will remain one of the three highest-paid players in baseball.

Dec. 1, 1998 -- Signs a $65 million, five-year contract with Baltimore Orioles.

February 1999 -- At the beginning of his first spring training with the Orioles, Belle says, "I've said all along that I'll put forth the effort to work with the media. ... I've become more and more accessible every year."

March 11, 1999 -- Angered by a called third strike in an exhibition game, Belle storms into the Orioles' mostly empty clubhouse. Reports watch as Belle starts throwing equipment. He shatters one of his bats and scatters a pile of papers on his chair. He showers, dresses and leaves the clubhouse without speaking to anyone. The Orioles announce that reporters will no longer be allowed to be in the clubhouse during games.

March 12, 1999 -- Belle announces that he won't talk to reporters again. "I'm done. I'm done with you guys," Belle says. "Forever?" a reporter asks. Belle nods.

March 1999 -- While in an indoor batting cage, Belle loudly curses a nearby onlooker, who was wearing a daily pass authorized by the Orioles. Jarred, the man retreats. Belle is unaware the man watching him was former Cincinnati Reds shortstop Dave Concepcion.

Mid-April 1999 -- During a three-game series in which he managed only two hits, Belle throws a beer bottle through a television set in the visitors' clubhouse at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay. Belle pays for the damage and is not fined.

May 1999 -- Belle has a falling out with Orioles hitting coach Terry Crowley.

May 3, 1999 -- In a 12-6 loss to the Cuban national team in an exhibition game at Camden Yards, Belle doesn't hustle on a ground ball he could have beaten out. During a subsequent at-bat, he keeps his bat on his shoulder the entire time and strikes out looking. He also doesn't come out of the dugout to shake hands with the Cubans after the game.

June 4, 1999 -- Belle allegedly points his middle finger at the crowd after lazily chasing after a fly ball. Norm D. St. Landau, an Orioles season-ticket holder, faxes his account of the incident to the Orioles. Team owner Peter Angelos invites him to sit in his private box for a game in July.

June 10, 1999 -- After Belle fails to run out a slow grounder with two outs in the top of the ninth inning, Orioles manager Ray Miller decides to pull Belle from the game. Belle is standing in right field when he discovers he is being removed. He runs into the Orioles dugout and delivers a nose-to-nose, profanity-laced tirade at Miller. Teammates Jeff Reboulet and Harold Baines pull Belle away from Miller. After the game, Belle orders reporters away with profanity.

June 11, 1999 -- Belle is benched, ending his streak of 392 consecutive games played, the longest in the major leagues. Belle sits on the bench alone with no one next to him.

June 1999 -- In his first column for the Baltimore Press, Belle tackles the topic of paying teachers a decent wage and ensuring they work in a safe environment. He points out the starting salary for engineers and computer science experts is far greater than the $25,735 that teachers earn. Belle's parents were teachers, and he was a substitute teacher while attending LSU.

June 22, 1999 -- Belle posts a sign on his locker for players wishing to boycott the Orioles' exhibition game Aug. 28 at Class AAA Rochester. Belle's signature is the only one on it. The sign is gone by the end of batting practice. The sign was placed under one that directs reporters to refer all their questions to his website.

June 24, 1999 -- On his website, Belle explains that the sign was just a joke and the media made too big a deal out of it.

July 18, 1999 -- Belle puts up a new sign below the website one: "1/2 year down, 4 1/2 years to go so don't fight it and show me some LOVE!!!"

July 21, 1999 -- The Baltimore Sun reports that Belle has agreed to waive the no-trade clause in his contract.

July 25, 1999 -- Belle's three home runs and six RBI helps Baltimore defeat Anaheim 8-7 in 11 innings. Belle gets his first standing ovation from the Camden Yards faithful since Opening Day. After getting hit by a pitch in the 11th inning, Belle offers to remain in the batter's box and continue his at-bat. After the game, he entertains the media for the first time since spring training -- and for what will be the only time that season. Belle says he wants to stay in Baltimore.

Feb. 20, 2000 -- As he walked off the field following a brief private workout, Belle was approached by a Baltimore cameraman who asked, "Would you mind answering a few questions?" Belle replied, "Yes, I would," before stepping into the dugout.

July 7, 2000 -- Belle smashes two beer bottles through a sheet-rock wall in the visitors' clubhouse at Yankee Stadium after grounding into a double play in the Orioles' 12-6 loss. The Yankees send a bill for $300 to the Orioles.

Sept. 8, 2000 -- The Orioles send Belle, who hasn't played since Sept. 3, back to Baltimore to have his ailing right hip examined.

Sept. 26, 2000 -- Belle returns to the lineup.

Oct. 1, 2000 -- The Baltimore Sun publishes an op-ed piece from Belle, who writes, "I have never received prestigious accolades, been acclaimed as a hard worker, winner, or team player, and have received unwarranted treatment that only Jackie Robinson, Curt Flood and Hank Aaron could have experienced." Later in the day, in what might be his final major-league at-bat, he hits a solo home run off the Yankees' Denny Neagle in the Orioles' season-ending 7-3 victory at Camden Yards.

Oct. 5, 2000 -- Orioles owner Peter Angelos acknowledges that Belle's degenerative hip condition has put his career in jeopardy. "The problem that he has with the hip, while susceptible to rehab and treatment, is not an absolute certainty to come around to the level that he can function to which he once did," Angelos tells WBAL-AM, the team's flagship station. "There is no indication that he won't be able to continue, but nonetheless it is an injury of serious proportions."

Feb. 20, 2001 -- Belle passes his team physical at spring training.

March 5, 2001 -- Belle, who throughout spring training has been surprisingly agreeable to talking with the media, tells USA Today: "At this stage, I need a miracle," he said. "At any second, it could go."

March 6, 2001 -- WBAL reports that Belle will retire in the next day or two.

March 7, 2001 -- Two Orioles doctors examine Belle to see if there is a chance that his hip might improve enough to allow him to play. A source tells the Associated Press, "Everyone has agreed it is highly unlikely he will play baseball again."

March 8, 2001 -- Doctors find that Belle's hip is severely arthritic. The Orioles declare Belle "totally disabled and unable to perform as a major league baseball player."